Government unveils Northern Transport Spring 2016 report

The government has partnered up with Transport for the North (TfN) to publish it’s Northern Transport Strategy Spring 2016 report detailing transformative projects which are set to run across northern regions of the UK.

The report revealed progress in various schemes including the Northern Powerhouse rail and Smart North, a system which is designed to help passengers switch easily between buses, trains and tramcars while ensuring value for money.

The update also outlines details regarding key improvements being made across the area, including investments into rail, road and smart ticketing.

The new developments include: investing over £1 billion to upgrade rail infrastructure, including the electrification programme, track, station and signalling improvements; progress on the Northern Powerhouse rail; committing £2.9 billion of road improvements for the five year period to 2020 including: improving access to the Port of Immingham; and improving the A1 Western Bypass; upgrading key sections of the M60, M1 and M6 to smart motorways.

The document also details studies examining ways to dramatically improve east-west road connections; and that smart ticketing, subject to approval, will be rolled out step by step across the north over a nine year period.